Valve



oct. l, 1935. H. HARmES 2,015,849

VALVE Filed April 16, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5% Hiya/Wy Oct. l, 1935. H. HARDIS 2,015,849

` VALVE Filed April 16, 1932 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 fw@ v Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFEicE VALVE charles n. names, Southgate, cam. Application April 16, 1932, Serial No. 605,664

cock that is adapted to effectively handle iluid at I high pressures.

Great diillculty has been encountered in providing a stop cock that will efl'lciently handle fluid at high pressures and that is easy to operate. High fluid pressures often cause distortion of the l parts of a stopcock that results in leakage. When the fluid handled contains solid matter, particles' of the solid matter become lodged between the sealing faces of the stop cock and vcause scoring .;lvvh'en the plug of the cock is turned between the 15 open and closed positions. The scoring or grooves thus formed initially cause only slight leakage but soon enlarge into channels that'render the stop cock ineffective. The forms of stop cocks in general use involve large sealing faces that are 20 vin sliding engagement during opening and closing, and make operation of the plug very difficult especially where changes in temperature occur.

Anl object of the present invention' is -to provide a.l stop cock that is capable of eifectively 26 handling fluid at high pressures and under varlous temperature conditions without vdistortion or Y jamming of the partsand without leakage.

It is another object of the invention to provide Y a stop cock in which the sealing faces and sealf- 36 ingparts are subjected to little or no shearing` action or sliding frictional engagement with the plug is operated between the open and closed po- 45 vide a stop cock that automatically compensates for the wearing of the sealing faces. It is another object of the invention to provide a stop cock in which the sealing action is not "affected or impaired by variations inthe tem- 50 perature of the fluid handled.'

It is vanother object of the invention to provide I a stop cock in which very heavy mechanical seall ing pressures may be obtained at the sealing faces if desired.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a stop cock in which the sealing faces separate or move apart immediately upon the plug being cracked or started toward the open position,

4 making the plug very easy to operate, and materially lessening the danger ofscorlng the sealing faces.

Further objects and features of the invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of typical forms and .applications"'` of the invention, throughout 10 which description reference will be had to the accompanying drawingain which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical detailed sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the plug in elevation andin the closed position. Fig. 2 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa vertical detailed sectional view of another form of the invention showing `the plug inthe closed position, slidwingaportion of the plug broken away to appear in vertical section'. Fig. 4 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by linerllfl onFig 3.v

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, includes, generally, 25 a body I0 having a fluid passage II, seatslZ in the 4body I0 around the uid passage II, a core or plug I3 in the bodyoperable to vcooperate with theseats -'I2 to controlthe flow through the passage II, and means ll for scraping and cleaning the seats. I2.

The body I0 may be varied considerably in design and construction to adapt the stop cock for use invarious situations, and for handling various classes of uids. In the drawings I have illustrated a typical structure of generally cylindrical configuration. The fluid passage I I extends l horizontally 'or diametrically through the body I0 and is preferably round in cross section. Proo jecting tubular bosses I5 are provided on the bodyl l0 at opposite ends of the iluid passage II.

Suitable means is provided at each end of theA `passage II to facilitate connection of the body having a vertical or longitudinal opening I6 for carrying the plug I 3. The longitudinal axis of the opening lI6 intersects and is normal to the 5 longitudinal axis of the iluid passage Il. In accordance with the invention, the body opening I6 may be of round cross section and of uniform size and configuration throughout its length.

The lower end of the opening I6 is closedsby an inu yopening I6 and surround theends of the passage II where it joins orintersects the opening I6. The two seats I2 arealike and oppose one another. The seats I2 may be formed of vbronze vor other suitable material 'and maybe mounted in the vbody III so that they may be readily renewed or replaced. In the'drawings I have illus- 'trated the seats I2 retained vvinv longitudinal" recesses I9 in the walls'lof the body opening I6. The recesses I 9 extend tothe upper end` of the opening I6 so that the seats I2 may be readily arranged in position and'easily removedv for replacement, etc. seats I2 fit or are secured in the recesses I9 so that they are positively held against turning or circumferential movement in the opening I6. The active or sealing faces of theseats I2 will be subsequently described in connection with the description of the plug I3.

The plug I3 is turnable or rotatable in the opening I6 and is provided toY control the ow of uid through the passageI I. A stem 20 projects from the upper end of the plug I3 and extends through an' opening 2| in the cap I8. A suitable packing gland 22 is provided on the cap I8 to seal about the stem 20. An operating handle 23 may be provided on the projecting upper end of the stem 2|. A stub stem 24 is provided on the lower end of the plug I3 and operates in a socket 25 in the lower wall I'I of the body. The opposite ends of the plug I3 are preferably of substantially equal area whereby the iluid pressures exerted on the opposite ends of the plug are practically equalized. The stems 20 and 24 rotatably carry the plug I3 so that itis rotatable about an axis A. The axis A of rotation of the plug I3 intersects the longitudinal axis of the fluid passage II and is normal to the axis of the uid passage. The upper and lower ends of the plug I3 are preferably flat and normal to its longitudinal axis. An annular rim or seat 26 is provided around the upper end of the socket 25 to cooperate with the flat lower end of the plug I3 to aid in supportl 30 and 30 are provided on the plug I3 between its flat sides 21. The cylindrical surfaces 30 and 30 are provided to cooperate with sealing faces 3| and 3|a on the seats I2 to seal about the ends of the fluid passage II. The surfaces 30 and 30' may extend the entire length of the plug I3, while the sealing faces 3| and 3|a preferably extend the entire lengths of the seats I2. In accordance with the invention, the cylindrical surfaces 30 and 30 are eccentric to the axis of rotation A of the plug I3, that is, they have radii R and R', respectively, generated from centers C and C' spaced from the axis A. The centers or center lines of curvature C and C' are diametrically opposite or lie in a plane intersecting the axis of rotation A of the plug I3 and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the passage I I. The radii of curvature R and R are of equal length and are equally spaced from the axis of rotation A of the plug I3.

It is to be understood that the' The sealing faces 3| 'and 3 IB o f the two opposed seats I2 are concave and formed to effectively c o. operate with or to be engaged by the cylindrical surfaces@ and 30' of the plug. The cylindrical concave sealing faces 3| `and 3|EL are of the same 5 respective curvature as the surfaces 30 and 30- that is, they are curved about the centers'C and C' and have radii substantially the same as theA radii R and R. The center lines of curvature of the-sealing faces 30 and 30 lie in a plane 10 transverse of the longitudinal axis of the passage I. The seats I2 maybe proportioned and related v'to the recesses I.9 to each have a vertical'edge substantially flush with the wall of the body opening I6, Aand a vertical edge projecting from the 15 wall II of the body opening. The walls of the recesses I9 and the outer surfaces of the seats may be concentrically curved about the axis A. When the plug I3 is turned from the open position to the closed position, the cylindrical surfaces 20 30 and 30' wedge against the sealing 'faces A3| and 3| to tightly'seal therewith, and effectively close oi theiluid passage I I. It will be noted that only slight sliding engagement occurs when the plug I3 is operated to the closed position where 25 the surfaces 30 and 30 seal with the sealing faces 3| and 3|a. The engagement between the cylindrical surfaces of the plug and the sealing faces of the seats I2 properly centers the plug I3 andA provides equal sealing or mechanical pres- 3o sures on the opposite sides of the plug. It is to be noted that the plug I3 operates to seal or close off each end of the fluid passage II tightly and equally well. When the plug I2 is operated or turned from the closed position to the open po- 35 sition in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, the surfaces 30 and 30 move away from the sealing faces 3| and 3|a radially as well as circumferentially. During movement of the plug I3 from the closed to the open position, the point 40 X at a vertical edge of the sealing surface 30, follows the path indicated by the broken line in Fig. 2, while the corresponding point on the surface 30' follows a like path.' The projecting ends of the seats I2 operate to limit opening 45 movement of the plug. It will be apparent that the cylindrical surfaces 30 and 30 move away from or inward from the faces of the seats I2 upon the initial movement of the plug I3 toward the open position, so that there is very little slid- 50 ing frictional engagement between the sealing faces of the seats and plug. This relationship provides for the free operation of the plug between the open and closed positions. When the plug I3 is in the open position, fluid pressure is 55 admitted around the plug and at the opposite vends of the plug. As the plug I3 is symmetrical and has surfaces of equal area at its opposite sides and ends, the pressures on it are all equalized. 60 The means I4 operates to scrape and clean the sealing faces 3| and 3|a during operation of the plug I3 from the open. to the closed positions. The means I4 includes vertical Scrapers or blades 32 slidable in notches or grooves 33 at the ad- 65 vancing vertical edges of the sealing surfaces 30 and 30'. Springs 34 retained under compression act-on the inner edges of the blades 32 to urge the blades outwardly into pressural engagement with the sealing faces 3| and 3Ia. Pins 35 70 may be provided to guide the scraping or cleaning blades 32. When the plug I3 is moved from the open to the closed position, the blades 32 operate to remove any solid matter from the sealing faces of the seats I 2. 75

It is believed that the operation of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. When the plug I3 is in the open position where its opening 28 is aligned with the fluid passage I I, the flowthrough the stop cock is not restricted,l and fluid under pressure is admitted to the opposite ends of the plug as well as toboth sides of the plug. This permits the easy and free operation of the plug. Further, when the plug is in the'open position, the surfaces 30 and 30 are free of or spaced from the walls of the body as well as the seats I2, so that there is no frictional mechanical resistance offered to the operation of the plug. Movement of the plug I3 to the closed position brings the cylindrical surfaces 30 and 30' into wedging and sealing engagement `with the sealing faces 3|- and 3| of the seats. The eccentricity of the sealing faces provides for the tight and effective cooperation between them so that the plug may be brought to a position where the flow through the passage II is fully stopped without exerting great pressure or turning force on the plug. If desired, very heavy effective sealing pressures may be obtained on the sealing faces of the plug and seats I2 to completely stop the flow of fluid at high pressures without leakage. It is to be noted that any wear that may occur on the sealing parts is automatically compensated for by slightly increased turning of the plug to bring about effective sealing cooperation between the plug and seats. The seats I2 may be readily removed for resurfacing or replacement and are simple, inexpensive parts. The stop cock involves only two main parts,

namely the body and plug, and they are extremely` simple and inexpensive of manufacture.

The form of the invention illustratedin Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings includes, generally, a body 40 having a fluid passage 4I, seats 42 in the body around the passage 4|, a plug 43 controlling the flow of uid through the passage 4I, and shoes 44 on the plug for cooperating with the seats 42.

The body 40 may be substantially identical with the body III described above, that is, it may be cylindrical in its general configuration and have a vertical opening 45 closed at-its lower end by a wall 46 and closed at its upper end by a cap 41. Internally threaded bosses 48 m'ay be provided on the opposite ends of the fluid passages 4I to facilitate connection of the body' in a pipe line. The fluid passage 4I is preferably of round cross section and extends diametrically through the body. The longitudinal opening 45 intersects the passage 4I and is at right angles to the passage 4I l The seats 42 may be identical to thevseats I2 previously described. The seats 42 surround the ends of the passage 4I and may extend the entire lengthof the opening 4.5. In the preferred construction, the seats 42 are replaceably carried in recesses 49 in the walls of the body opening 45.

The plug 43 is turnable in the opening 45 about a vertical axis O. A stem 50 is provided on the upper end of the plug I2 and extends through an opening 5I in the cap 41. A packing gland 52 may be provided on the cap 41 to seal about the stem, and a suitable handle 53 may be provided on the projecting upper end of the stem. A stub shaft 56 is provided on the lower end of the plug 43 to cooperate with a socket 55 in the body wall 46. Annular bearing rims or seats 56 may be provided to cooperate with the'iiat upper and llower 'ends of the plug. The plug 43 is provided with two at parallel sides 51 and has a transverse opening 58 terminating at the flat sides 51.

Cylindrically curved ends or surfaces. 59 are provided on the plug 43 between the at sides 51. 5

The .cylindrical ends 59 are eccentric to the axis of rotation O of the plug 43 being curved about centers M and N spaced from the axis of the plug. The centers of curvature M and N are diametrically opposite and are equally spaced from the 10 axis of rotation 0 of the plug. The centers of curvature M and N lie in a vertical plane including the longitudinal axis of the plug opening 58. The cylindrical eccentric surfaces 59 extend the entire length of the plug 43. 15

The shoes 44v are arranged on the cylindrical sides of the plug and are operable to cooperate with the seats 42 when the plug is in the closed position. The shoes 44 are curved in cross section. having their inner and outer sides cylin- 20 drically curved about the centres of curvature M and N. 'I'he shoes 44 preferably extend the entire length of the plug 43. The outer faces 6|) of the shoes 44 are adapted to cooperate withl or wedge against the sealing faces 6I of the seats 25 42. The faces 6I are curved about the centers Mand N so as to properly receive the shoes 44. The shoes 44 are connected to the plug 43 by longitudinal keys 62. The keys 62 are carried in longitudinal key ways 63 and 64 in the plug and 30 inner sides of the shoes-44. The outer edges of the keys 62 are provided intermediate their ends with pivot projections 10. The projections IIJ are curved or rounded and cooperate with correspondingly shaped sockets -1I in the outer walls 35 of the key ways 42. 'I'he keys 62 have considerable clearance in the key ways 64 allowing the projections 10 to rock or tilt in the sockets 1I. Suitable clearance is provided'between the shoes 44 and the plug 43 to allow the shoes to tilt. The 40 keys 62 cooperate with the key ways 64 to allow both limited horizontal and vertical tilting of the shoes. The shoes 44 are free to tilt and properly center thermselves on the seats 42 to compensate for any misalignment of the plug 43. 45

The operation of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 is substantially identical with that of the previously described embodiment. The shoes 44 in having limited tilting movement relative to the plug 43 50 are free to properly cooperate with the seats 42 when the plug 43 is operated to the closed position. The shoes 44 may compensate for any slight misalignment or fitting of parts, or distortion of parts from extremely high pressures or tempera- 55 ture changes. If desired or found practical, the seats 42 and/or the shoes 44 may be lined or provided with resilient sealing material. The plug 43 is extremely easy to operate, as the shoes move inwardly away from* the seats 42 at the 60.

start of the opening movement of the plug. The parts of the stop cock are all simple and inexpensive of manufacture and are not easily affected by heavy fluid pressures or temperature variations.

. 65 Having described only typical preferred forms -of my invention, I do not wish to limit myself to l trolling the flow of fluid through the passage,

shoes for cooperating with the' body forvsealing `oil? the flow of fluid through the passage, and means connecting the shoes with the plug including key connections between the plug and 5 shoes for transmitting rotational forces between the plug and shoes and allowing limited horizontal and vertical pivoting of the shoes relative to the plug, sald connections including keys on the plug pivotally cooperating'with keyways in the shoes, for transmitting rotational forces. the keys and keyways related to allow pivoting of the shoes in one direction, and rounded projections on the keys cooperating .with rounded portions of the keyways whereby the shoes may pivot in the other direction.

CHARLES H. HARDIES. 

